Bomi County – In a stunning display of disrespect and disregard to the Supreme Court’s stay order imposed on the sale of several machines and equipment, in Sackie Town, Sinjie Township, local authorities in Bomi County have defied the court’s order and sold them.
Presiding Chamber Justice Ceaineh Clinton-Johnson, on May 15, 2025, cited Mr. Hans Armstrong and Cllr. T. Ciapha Carey, Resident Circuit Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Bomi County and citizens of Sackie Town, Sinjie Township, to a conference, scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, at 10am.
The appearance of Judge Carey and the citizens of Sackie Town was for Justice Clinton-Johnson to determine whether they (respondents) have the constitutional backing to interfere with the June 23, 2023 judgment of His Honor Blamo Dixon, Resident Circuit Judge for Criminal Court ‘C’ in Montserrado County, granting Mr. Armstrong, the ownership of the machines and equipment.
Worst still, despite the pending conference, the Superintendent of Bomi County, Ms. Miatta Dorley, on May 26, just a day after the court’s order, instructed her Administrative Officer, Alphonso M. Sherman, to seek for interested buyers.
Although, the county’s authorities are not a parties to the petition for prohibition.
In their letter dated May 26, to several scrap companies, to include; Universal Scrap Dealers Company, that was signed by Alphonso Sherman, he wrote; “I’m writing to inform you that scrap materials located in Sackie Town, Sinjie Township are currently available for sale to all interested buyers.”
It continues, “This presents a unique opportunity for your company to acquire available resources at your disposal.”
The letter went on, “We encourage Universal Scrap Dealers Company to consider this offer as it would be beneficial for your operations and sustainability efforts,” adding, “If you are interested in this opportunity, please feel free to reach out to the office of the Superintendent for further details or to arrange a site visit.”
Prior to the Supreme Court’s intervention, and while, the judgement of Criminal Court ‘C’ is pending execution, Judge Carey issued a stay order, purportedly based on a complaint filed before the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Bomi County by the people of Sackie Town and information given the court by the office of the Superintendent for Bomi County.
Upon first learning that the stay order was imposed by the superintendent, Armstrong’s legal team filed a Bill of Information before Judge Dixon, bringing to the court’s attention of the stay order.
In response, Judge Dixon, on April 7, wrote Superintendent Miatta Dorley, requesting her to lift the stay order placed on the machines and equipment owned by Hans Armstrong, and to subsequently assist the court’s officers to take possession of said machines and equipment, thereafter, transport them to Monrovia under the supervision and at the expense of Armstrong, which did not happen up to present.
In a clarification letter dated April 9, the Superintendent acknowledged received of the letter, regarding the request to lift the stay order on the machineries located in Sackie Town.
It reads, “We would like to clarify that the stay order in question was issued by His Honor Cllr. T. Ciapha Carey, Resident Circuit Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit Court, presiding by assignment, and not by the superintendent office.
Therefore, and in view of the foregoing any actions regarding the lifting of the stay order should be directed to the appropriate Judicial authority.”
This matter arose after lawyers representing Armstrong, filed a writ of prohibition against Judge Carey and the citizens of Sackie Town, Sinjie Township, leading to a temporary halt in the enforcement of Dixon’s judgement.
Armstrong had claimed that he bought the equipment and machines from Euro-Liberia Logging Company.
Prior to the sale of the equipment and machines to him, Italgems, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia, used the said machine and equipment to carry on mining activities in Sackie Town, based on an arrangement between Italgerms and Euro Liberia logging company.
However, the people of Sackie Town claim that Italgems did not honor all of its corporate responsibilities to the township and therefore, the people of the township sought to lay claim to the machines and equipment, though it was established that the machines and equipment did not and do not belong to Italgems.
Following the sale of the equipment and machines to Armstrong, the then Superintendent of Bomi County, Mr. Adama J. Robinson, sold some of equipment and machines to one Stanley Walker, Resident/Chief Executive Officer of Fountain Liberia Inc.
While the complaint against the Superintendent was pending, one Mr. Reginald Holder sold some of equipment and machines to Mr. Jehu Richardson. Armstrong allegedly complaint to the County Attorney of Bomi County, and following an investigation, Holder and Richardson were duly indicted and arraigned before the 11th Judicial Circuit Court for Bomi County for prosecution.
Following the arraignment of the defendants, the county attorney prayed for a change of venue and the court granted same. The case was transferred to the first Judicial Circuit Court ‘C ‘ for Montserrado County.
During the pendency of the case before the Criminal Court ‘C’ the people of Sackie Town, Sinjie Township, filed Bill of information, seeking to intervene in the case and the intervention was denied by Judge Dixon.
While the judgement is pending execution, Judge Carey issued a stay order, purportedly based on a complaint filed before the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Bomi County by the people of Sackie Town and information given the court by the office of the Superintendent for Bomi County.
